Apparatus, System, and Method for Supporting an Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for supporting an electronic device. The apparatus includes a post and a post receiving space. The post is couplable to either an article of jewelry or an electronic device and is made of a first material. The post receiving space is positioned within either of the article of jewelry, a jewelry coupling base, or an electronic device coupling base. The post receiving space is defined by a second material. The first material and the second material are made a material selected from a magnetic material and a ferromagnetic material. The post is receivable within the post receiving space to releasably couple the article of jewelry to the electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional PatentApplication No. 67/070,008 entitled “JEWELRY RING SMARTPHONE HOLDER” andfiled on Aug. 12, 2014 for Tikunn Srey and to United States ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/178,347 entitled “MAGNETIC HOLDER FORSMARTPHONES, TABLETS, AND SUCH SMARTPHONES TABLET, OR ANY DEVICE TO MOSTSURFACES” and filed on Apr. 7, 2015 for Tikunn Srey, which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electronic devices and more particularlyrelates to apparatus, systems and methods for supporting electronicdevices.

BACKGROUND

The ability to connect to the world in the palm of our hand with adventof smartphones, e.g., iPhone®, Android®, and tablets, e.g., iPad®, hasgiven users of such devices information mobility. Everyday more and morepeople are connecting through a consortium of different mediums on theirelectronic devices. As user's plug away on their electronic devices itcan be daunting for these users to hold the device.

The difficulty in holding an electronic device has manifest itself inthe meteoric rise in the cell phone repair industry. According to onereport the cell phone repair industry has grown at an average annualrate of 1.7% to $3.9 billion. To combat cell phone damage many userswill often purchase a case to protect the valuable electronic devices.Cases are designed to attach to or otherwise hold a mobile phone. Commoncases include pouches, sleeves, shells, skins, bumpers and the like.Unfortunately, a case is only designed to protect the electronic devicefrom shock in the event of the user dropping the device. A case does notcombat the root problem (i.e., losing one's grip on the electronicdevice.)

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor an apparatus, system, and method that supports an electronic device.Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would allow a userto easily hold an electronic device in one hand, would be easily removedfrom the electronic device to allow for storage of the electronicdevice, and would allow the user to view the electronic device in eitherlandscape mode or portrait mode. Similarly, the apparatus should besleek in design, visually attractive and comfortable to use.

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable electronic device supports. Accordingly, the present inventionhas been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method forsupporting an electronic device that overcome many or all of theabove-discussed shortcomings in the art.

The apparatus to support an electronic device, includes, in certainembodiments, a post and a post receiving space. The post is couplable toeither an article of jewelry or an electronic device and is made of afirst material. The post receiving space is positioned within either ofthe article of jewelry, a jewelry coupling base, or an electronic devicecoupling base. The post receiving space is defined by a second material.The first material and the second material are made a material selectedfrom a magnetic material and a ferromagnetic material. The post isreceivable within the post receiving space to releasably couple thearticle of jewelry to the electronic device.

In certain embodiments, the first material comprises a magnetic materialand the second material comprises a ferromagnetic material. In such anembodiment, a magnetic attraction between the first material and thesecond material releasably couples the article of jewelry to theelectronic device.

In other embodiments, the first material comprises a ferromagneticmaterial and the second material comprises a magnetic material. In suchan embodiment, a magnetic attraction between the first material and thesecond material releasably couples the article of jewelry to theelectronic device. In an exemplary embodiment the magnetic materialcomprises a neodymium magnet. In one embodiment, the post is coupled tothe article of jewelry and the post receiving space is disposed withinthe electronic device coupling base.

The apparatus, in one embodiment, also includes a rolling-elementbearing. The rolling-element bearing includes an inner race, an outerrace and at least one rolling element. The inner race is positionedwithin the outer race with the at least one rolling element positionedbetween the inner race and the outer race. In such an embodiment, aninner surface of the inner race is sized and shaped to receive the post.

The rolling-element bearing, in an exemplary embodiment, is positionedwithin the electronic device coupling base. In such an embodiment, theelectronic device coupling base is made of a ferromagnetic material andthe post is made of a magnetic material. A magnetic attraction betweenthe post and the electronic device coupling base releasably couples thearticle of jewelry to the electronic device. In one embodiment, an innersurface of the inner race comprises the post receiving space. In anotherembodiment, at least a portion of the rolling-element bearing is made ofa ferromagnetic material and the post is a magnetic material. A magneticattraction between the post and the rolling-element bearing releasablycouples the article of jewelry to the electronic device.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a description of the subject matter will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be consideredto be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus tosupport an electronic device in accordance with the present subjectmatter;

FIG. 2 is a right side view further illustrating the @ of FIG. 1 inaccordance with the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a rear view further illustrating the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1and 2 in accordance with the present subject matter; and

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a system to supportan electronic device in accordance with the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention.One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details,or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In otherinstances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shownor described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus 100 tosupport an electronic device in accordance with the present subjectmatter. The apparatus 100, in one embodiment, includes a post 102 and apost receiving space 104.

The post 102, in certain embodiments, is coupleable to either an articleof jewelry or an electronic device 202 (see, FIG. 2). In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the post 102 is coupled to a ring 106. In certainembodiments, the post 102 comprises a cylindrical column extending froman outer surface 108 of the ring 106 or other article of jewelry. Thatis, in one embodiment, the post is an integral extension extendingdirectly from the outer surface 108 of the ring 106 or other article ofjewelry. In such an embodiment, the post 102 and the ring 106 may becast, milled or otherwise formed in the same manufacturing process.

In other embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes a jewelry coupling base110. In such an embodiment, the post 102 is coupled to the ring 106 orother article of jewelry by the jewelry coupling base 110. Of course, insuch an embodiment, the post 102, the jewelry coupling base 110, and thering 106 may be cast, milled or otherwise formed in the samemanufacturing process.

In one embodiment, the jewelry coupling base 110 and the post 102 may becast, milled, or otherwise formed and coupled to one another and latermay be attached to the ring 106 or other article of jewelry. In such anembodiment, the jewelry coupling base 110 and the post 102 are coupledto the ring 106 or other article of jewelry by welding, chemicallybonding or otherwise affixing jewelry coupling base 110 and the post 102to the ring 106 or other article of jewelry.

In certain embodiments, the post receiving space 104 is positionedwithin an electronic device coupling base 112. The post receiving space104 is sized and shaped to receive the post 102. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the post receiving space 104 is substantiallycylindrical. Similarly, the post 102 has an outer surface 114 that issubstantially cylindrical such that the post 102 is matingly receivablewithin the post receiving space 102. One of skill in the art willrecognize that in other embodiments, the post 102 may have across-sectional shape that is not substantially cylindrical. In fact, incertain embodiments, the post 102 may have any other geometrical shape.In such an embodiment, the post receiving space 104 is sized and shapedcorresponding to the size and shape of the post 102.

The post 102, in one embodiment, is made of a first material 116 and thepost receiving space 104 is defined by a second material 118. In certainembodiments, the first material 116 and the second material 118 iseither a magnetic material or a ferromagnetic material such that amagnetic attraction is produced between the post 102 and the postreceiving space 104. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1, the first material 116 that makes up the post 102 comprises amagnetic material and the second material 118 that surrounds the innerdiameter of the post receiving space 104 comprises a ferromagneticmaterial such that a magnetic attraction forms between the post 102 andthe post receiving space 104 to facilitate a releasable coupling betweenthe post 102 and the post receiving space 104. In an exemplaryembodiment and the magnetic material comprises a neodymium magneticmaterial.

While the embodiment discussed above indicates that the first material116 is made of a magnetic material and the second material 118 is madeof a ferromagnetic material, one of skill in the art will recognize thatin other embodiments, both the first material 116 and the secondmaterial 118 may be made of a magnetic material. For example, in certainembodiments, such as and embodiment wherein the electronic device 202 isrelatively heavy, a stronger magnetic coupling force may be desirable.In such an embodiment, an apparatus 100 utilizing two magnetic material,one for the first material 116 and a second for the second material 118forms a stronger magnetic coupling field than an embodiment utilizing asingle magnetic material.

In other embodiments, the second material 118 may be made of a magneticmaterial while the first material 116 is made of a ferromagneticmaterial. That is, in one embodiment, the material that makes up thesurface surrounding the post receiving space 104 may be magneticallycharged and the material that makes up the post 102 may comprise amaterial that is attracted to a magnetic charge. In any of the abovedescribed embodiments, a magnetic attraction between the first material116 and the second material 118 releasably couples the ring 106 or otherarticle of jewelry to the electronic device coupling base 112.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the post 102 is depicted asbeing coupled to the ring 106 or other article of jewelry and the postreceiving space 104 is depicted as being formed in the electronic devicecoupling base 112. In other embodiments, the position of the post 102and the post receiving space 104 may be reversed. For example, in oneembodiment, the post 102 may be coupled to the electronic devicecoupling base 112 and the post receiving space 104 may be formed in thering 106 or in the jewelry coupling base 110. In yet another embodiment,the post 102 or the post receiving space 104 may be integrally formed onor in the electronic device 202 itself.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes a rolling-elementbearing 120 to facilitate three hundred and sixty (360) degree rotationof the post 102 within the post receiving space 104. In such anembodiment, the rolling-element bearing 120 includes an inner race 122,an outer race 124, and at least one rolling element 126. The inner race122 is positioned within the outer race 124 with the rolling element 126positioned between the inner race 122 and the outer race 124. An innersurface 128 of the inner race 122 is sized and shaped to receive thepost 102. Thus, in one embodiment, the inner surface 128 of the innerrace 122 defines the post receiving space 104.

In one embodiment, the rolling-element bearing 120 is positioned withinthe electronic device coupling base 112. In such an embodiment, theelectronic device coupling base 112 and the post 102 may be made of amagnetic or ferromagnetic material such that a magnetic attractionbetween the post 102 and the electronic device coupling base 112 isformed to releasably couple the ring 106 or other article of jewelry tothe electronic device coupling base 112.

In other embodiments, at least a portion of the rolling-element bearing120 is made of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material. In such anembodiment, the post 102 may also be made of a magnetic or ferromagneticmaterial such that a magnetic attraction between the post 102 and therolling-element bearing 120 is formed to releasably couple the ring 106or other article of jewelry to the electronic device coupling base 112.

FIG. 2 is a top view further illustrating the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with the present subject matter. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2 the electronic device coupling base 112 isdepicted as being coupled to the electronic device 202.

In certain embodiments, the electronic device coupling base 112 iscoupled to the electronic device 202 by a chemical adhesive. In otherembodiments, the electronic device coupling base 112 is coupled to theelectronic device 202 by double sided tape. In another embodiment, theelectronic device coupling base 112 may be integrally formed with theelectronic device 202. In yet another embodiment, the electronic devicecoupling base 112 may be coupled the electronic device 202 by affixingthe electronic device coupling base 112 to a protective case surroundingthe electronic device 202. One of skill in the art will recognize otherways of coupling the electronic device coupling base 112 to theelectronic device 202.

To releasably couple the ring 106 or other article of jewelry to theelectronic device 202, the post 102 is inserted into the post receivingspace 104 in the electronic device coupling base 112 in the directionindicated by arrow 204. A magnetic attraction between the post 102 andthe material surrounding the post receiving space 104 facilitates amagnetic coupling between the post 102 and the material surrounding thepost receiving space 104.

To uncouple the ring 106 or other article of jewelry from the electronicdevice 202, a user withdraws the post 102 from within the post receivingspace 104 in a direction opposite the direction indicated by arrow 204with sufficient force to overcome the magnetic attraction between thepost 102 and the material surrounding the post receiving space 104. Withthe ring 106 or other article of jewelry uncoupled from the electronicdevice 202, the device can be stored in a user's pocket or purse totransport the electronic device 202. The ring 106 or other article ofjewelry may likewise be removed from the user's finger and stored in theuser's pocket or purse to transport the ring 106 or other article ofjewelry. In an exemplary embodiment, the ring 106 or other article ofjewelry is aesthetically pleasing and the user may continue to wear thering 106 or other article of jewelry as a fashion statement.

In one embodiment, the ring 106 or other article of jewelry may be usedas a stand to support the electronic device 202. In such an embodiment,the user removes the ring 106 or other article of jewelry from his orher finger and the ring 106 or other article of jewelry is used tosupport the electronic device in a substantially perpendicularorientation on a support surface. In this manner, the user can view thecontent on the electronic device 202 from a comfortable position.

FIG. 3 is a rear view further illustrating the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1and 2 in accordance with the present subject matter. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3, the ring 106 has been positioned on a user'sfinger with the device coupling base 112 coupled to the electronicdevice 202. The post 102 has been inserted into the post receiving space104 such that a magnetic attraction between the post 102 and the postreceiving space 104 operates to keep the electronic device 202positioned within the user's hand 304. This allows for single handedsupport of the electronic device 202.

With the ring 106 positioned on a user's finger and with the post 102inserted into the post receiving space 104, the magnetic couplingbetween the post 102 and the material surrounding the post receivingspace 104 allows the electronic device 202 to pivot about the post 102in a direction indicated by arrows 306. Thus, a user is free to reorientthe electronic device 202 between a landscape view and a portrait viewdepending on the user's desires.

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a system 400 tosupport an electronic device in accordance with the present subjectmatter. In certain embodiments, the system 400 includes a post 402 and apost receiving space 404.

The post 402, in certain embodiments, is coupleable to either an articleof jewelry (i.e., a ring 406.) or an electronic device (i.e., electronicdevice 202.) In one embodiment, the post 402 is coupled directly to anouter surface 408 of the ring 406 or article of jewelry. In otherembodiments, the system 400 includes a jewelry coupling base 410 and thepost 402 is coupled to the jewelry coupling base 410 which is, in turn,coupled to the article of jewelry.

In embodiments where the post 402 is coupled to the electronic device202, the post 402 may be directly coupled to the electronic device 202or the system 400 may include an electronic device coupling base 412. Insuch an embodiment, the post 402 may be coupled to the electronic devicecoupling base 412.

The post receiving space 404, in certain embodiments, is an orificedisposed within the ring 406 or other article of jewelry. In otherembodiments, the post receiving space 404 is disposed within the jewelrycoupling base 410. In an exemplary embodiment, the post receiving space404 is disposed within the electronic device coupling base 412.

The post 402 is made of a first material and the post receiving space404 is defined by a second material. In certain embodiments, the firstand second materials comprise a material selected from a magneticmaterial and a ferromagnetic material such that a magnetic attraction isformed between the post 402 and the post receiving space 404. In such anembodiment, the magnetic attraction between the post 402 and the postreceiving space 404 facilitates maintaining the post 402 within the postreceiving space 404.

The system 400, in one embodiment, includes an electronic devicecoupling base adhering element 416. The electronic device coupling baseadhering element 416, in certain embodiments, is configured to affix theelectronic device coupling base 412 to an electronic device 202. Forexample, in one embodiment, the electronic device coupling base adheringelement 416 is a section of double sided tape configured to adhere tothe electronic device coupling base 412 and to the electronic device202. One of skill in the art will recognize other ways in which theelectronic device coupling base 412 may be coupled to the electronicdevice 202.

Similarly, in certain embodiments, the system 400 may include anadhering element (not shown) configured to couple the jewelry couplingbase 410 to the ring 406 or other article of jewelry. In otherembodiments, the jewelry coupling base 410 may be integrally formed withthe ring 406 or other article of jewelry.

In one embodiment, the system 400 also includes a rolling-elementbearing 418. In such and embodiment, the rolling-element bearing 418 ispositionable within an orifice 420 within the electronic device couplingbase 412 or within an orifice 422 within the jewelry coupling base 410.The post 402 is receivable within an inner surface 424 of therolling-element bearing 418 to facilitate three hundred and sixty (360)degree rotation of the post 402 within the post receiving space 404.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to support an electronic device, theapparatus comprising: a post couplable to one of an article of jewelryand an electronic device, the post comprising a first material; a postreceiving space disposed within one of the article of jewelry, a jewelrycoupling base, and an electronic device coupling base, the postreceiving space defined by a second material; and wherein the firstmaterial and the second material comprise a material selected from amagnetic material and a ferromagnetic material, and wherein the post isreceivable within the post receiving space to releasably couple thearticle of jewelry to the electronic device.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the first material comprises a magnetic material and whereinthe second material comprises a ferromagnetic material, wherein amagnetic attraction between the first material and the second materialreleasably couples the article of jewelry to the electronic device. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises aferromagnetic material and wherein the second material comprises amagnetic material, wherein a magnetic attraction between the firstmaterial and the second material releasably couples the article ofjewelry to the electronic device.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe magnetic material comprises a neodymium magnet.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the post is coupled to the article of jewelry andwherein the post receiving space is disposed within the electronicdevice coupling base.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising arolling-element bearing, the rolling-element bearing comprising an innerrace, an outer race and at least one rolling element, wherein the innerrace is positioned within the outer race with the at least one rollingelement disposed between the inner race and the outer race, wherein aninner surface of the inner race is sized and shaped to receive the post.7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rolling-element bearing isdisposed within the electronic device coupling base, wherein theelectronic device coupling base comprises a ferromagnetic material andwherein the post comprises a magnetic material, wherein a magneticattraction between the post and the electronic device coupling basereleasably couples the article of jewelry to the electronic device. 8.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein an inner surface of the inner racecomprises the post receiving space.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe at least a portion of the rolling-element bearing comprises aferromagnetic material and wherein the post comprises a magneticmaterial, wherein a magnetic attraction between the post and therolling-element bearing releasably couples the article of jewelry to theelectronic device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the article ofjewelry comprises a ring.
 11. A jewelry ring support for an electronicdevice, the jewelry ring support comprising: a jewelry ring positionableon a user's finger; a post coupled to one of the jewelry ring and anelectronic device, the post comprising a first material; a postreceiving space disposed within one of the jewelry ring, a jewelrycoupling base, and an electronic device coupling base, the postreceiving space defined by a second material; and wherein the firstmaterial and the second material comprise a material selected from amagnetic material and a ferromagnetic material, and wherein the post isreceivable within the post receiving space to releasably couple thejewelry ring to the electronic device.
 12. The jewelry ring support ofclaim 11, further comprising a rolling-element bearing, therolling-element bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race and atleast one rolling element, wherein the inner race is positioned withinthe outer race with the at least one rolling element disposed betweenthe inner race and the outer race, wherein an inner surface of the innerrace is sized and shaped to receive the post.
 13. The jewelry ringsupport of claim 12, further comprising a rolling-element bearing, therolling-element bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race and atleast one rolling element, wherein the inner race is positioned withinthe outer race with the at least one rolling element disposed betweenthe inner race and the outer race, wherein an inner surface of the innerrace is sized and shaped to receive the post.
 14. The jewelry ringsupport of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the inner racecomprises the post receiving space.
 15. The jewelry ring support ofclaim 14, wherein the at least a portion of the rolling-element bearingcomprises a ferromagnetic material and wherein the post comprises amagnetic material, wherein a magnetic attraction between the post andthe rolling-element bearing releasably couples the article of jewelry tothe electronic device.
 16. A jewelry ring support for an electronicdevice, the jewelry ring support comprising: a jewelry ring positionableon a user's finger; a post coupled to the jewelry ring; a post receivingspace disposed within an electronic device coupling base, the electronicdevice coupling base coupleable to an electronic device; arolling-element bearing disposed within the post receiving base, therolling-element bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race and atleast one rolling element, wherein the inner race is positioned withinthe outer race with the at least one rolling element disposed betweenthe inner race and the outer race, wherein an inner surface of the innerrace is sized and shaped to receive the post wherein the post and atleast one of the material defining the post receiving space and at leasta portion of the rolling-element bearing comprise a material selectedfrom a magnetic material and a ferromagnetic material, and wherein thepost is receivable within the post receiving space to releasably couplethe jewelry ring to the electronic device.
 17. The jewelry ring supportof claim 16, wherein the magnetic material comprises a neodymium magnet.